Bat



Patented Feb. 6, 1934 UITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a bat for playing various games, in which use is made of a ball.

The bat may be used for playing such games as cat ball, wall ball, stick ball, baseball, tennis and others.

The object of the invention is the provision of a bat embodying novel features of construction whereby the user may bat or drive a ball, also throw, pitch or bounce the ball, and also pick up and hold one of various sized balls, at will preparatory to batting or driving, and throwing, pitching or bouncing the ball in playing the games aforesaid.

Another object is the provision of a bat of the indicated character, by virtue of the use of which youngsters may perform tricks and get thrills and amusement in playing with a ball.

The invention resides in the structural and functional features of a bat hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective View of a bat embodying the features of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view illustrating one manner in which the bat may be used.

Referring now more particularly to Figure 1 of the drawing, it will be apparent that there is shown a bat which consists of a driving body 10, and a handle 11 projecting from one end of the body. The butt end of the handle may be enlarged as at 12 to prevent the bat from slipping from the hand of the user. The bat is made preferably of wood, but may be made of any other suitable material. The bat is made from a single piece of the material selected so that the handle 11 will be integral with the body 10, to cheapen the cost of manufacture. The body 10 may be of any preferred shape in outline and will be broad and flat of substantial dimensions as shown. The bat is constructed to provide means adapted to pick up and to releasably grip one of various sized balls having a certain amount of resiliency. The said means consists of an irregular notch 13 in the body 10, said notch opening through one edge of the body 10. The notch 13 serves not only for the purpose of picking up a ball B and catching a ball, but also for bouncing the ball preparatory to batting or driving the ball through the air or against a wall, and also for throwing the ball.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the user by grasping the handle 11 of the bat, may pick up a ball having a certain degree of resiliency by pressing the ball into the notch 13. The user may then snap the ball from the notch to the ground by a quick movement of the hand, wrist and arm, and as the ball moves upwardly the user may bat or drive the same with the body 10 in any desired direction. It will also be apparent that the user may snap a ball positioned in the notch 13 by swinging the bat over the head and so throw the ball to any part of a playing field or in a direction to be caught by other participants in a game.

The bat having the features hereinbefore described may be used advantageously with rubber balls, either solid or inflated. The ball is frictionally gripped by the walls of the notch provided by the body 10. The portion 14 of the body 10 functions to direct the ball downwardly when the bat is manipulated for the purpose of bouncing the ball.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that there has been described a bat by which the objects and advantages hereinabove mentioned may be attained, and it is to be understood that certain variations in the size and shape of the bat may be resorted to, and also that the position and size of the notch 13 may be varied in accordance with the invention as ex- 0 pressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A ball bat consisting of a driving body with a handle projecting therefrom, said body having a notch opening through one edge thereof, 35 for the purpose of picking up and releasably gripping a ball, so that the user by grasping the handle may throw or bounce the ball and also drive the ball with said body.

2. A ball bat consisting of a driving body 99 with a handle projecting therefrom, said body having an irregular notch opening through one edge thereof, for the purpose of picking up and releasably gripping one of various size balls, so that the user by grasping the handle may throw or bounce the ball and also drive the ball with said body.

3. A ball bat consisting of a broad flat driving body with a handle projecting therefrom, said body having a notch opening through one 1 edge thereof, for the purpose of picking up and releasably gripping a ball, so that the user by grasping the handle may throw the ball and then drive the ball with said body.

HENRY J. WALSH. 

